Inauguration no-show?
Rep. McNerney to skip Trump’s big day
This Friday, Washington, D.C. will host the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, although many Democratic congressional representatives will not be in attendance, opting to boycott the event.
Rep. Jerry McNerney’s (D-Stockton) office initially made a statement that he was not protesting the inauguration, but recent words from McNerney have muddied the issue. He issued a statement on Tuesday that he would also not be in attendance and would have a busy schedule in California.
“I will not be attending the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20. Instead, I will be in my district serving my constituents, as I was elected to do.” REP. JERRY MCNERNEY D-STOCKTON
“I will not be attending the inauguration of Presidentelect Donald Trump on Jan. 20. Instead, I will be in my district serving my constituents, as I was elected to do,” he said.
Among his recent activities within the district, McNerney attended a rally in Stockton on Sunday in opposition of the repeal
“I think it’s a shame that he’s not going for some bogus meetings and business in the district. ... It’s a boycott. I don’t care how you polish it.” TONY AMADOR LODI REPUBLICAN
of the Affordable Care Act hosted by Our Revolution San Joaquin County.
McNerney spokeswoman Nicole Alioto told the Stockton Record that McNerney would be hosting and attending several events in California — events which have been on his calendar for months.
This includes meeting with newly elected officials and attending some Martin Luther King Jr. rallies in the area.
However, McNerney did have some criticism for Trump.
“The election of Mr. Trump lacks legitimacy due to Russian hacking, which Mr. Trump encouraged, the FBI’s biased involvement, and other irregularities, and I cannot sanction the inauguration by attending the ceremony,” McNerney said. “However, because I support the peaceful transition of power and respect the office of the presidency, I will work with the new administration when possible to deliver for my district and move our country forward.”
Between party lines in the Lodi area, reactions are mixed on lack of attendance.
“I think it’s a shame that he’s not going for some bogus meetings and business in the district,” said Tony Amador, a Lodi Republican and former opponent of McNerney in the 2016 General Election. Amador said that the presidential inauguration date is well known in advance.
It has been held on Jan. 20 since 1937.
At a time when the nation is divided, Amador believes McNerney should attend and represent his other constituents who supported Trump as well as those did not.
“It’s a boycott. I don’t care how you polish it,” Amador said.
Some Democrats have a different outlook on the announcement.
Whether McNerney had a scheduling conflict or intended to make a statement with his absence from the inauguration, Margeaux Webb of the Lodi Area Democrats said that the group would likely stand behind his decision.
“He really does represent us and how we feel. He doesn’t take our votes and do whatever he wants like a lot of other politicians,” she said.
Word of an inauguration boycott has spread among House Democrats amounting to more than 60 lawmakers who have declared their coming absence at the event. The boycott comes following Trump’s response to criticism by Georgia congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis about the legitimacy of his presidency due to Russian interference.
California representatives joining in the boycott include: Reps. Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles; Tony Cardenas, D-Los Angeles; Judy Chu, D-Monterey; Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord; Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael; Barbara Lee, D-Oakland; Ted Lieu, D-Torrance; Zoe Lofgren D-San Jose; Grace Napolitano, D-Norwalk; Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Los Angeles; Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert; Mark Takano, D-Riverside; Juan Vargas, D-San Diego; Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles.